Nicolas Anelka: FA charges West Brom striker over gesture

West Brom's Nicolas Anelka faces a minimum five-match ban if found guilty by the Football Association of making the controversial "quenelle" gesture.

The striker made the sign, described as an inverted Nazi salute, after scoring against West Ham on 28 December.

Anelka was given a 34-page document detailing the allegations and has until 18:00 GMT on Thursday to respond.

West Brom sponsor Zoopla will end its agreement with the club at the end of the season because of the incident.

The former France international used the "quenelle" the day after the French government announced it was trying to ban the shows of controversial comedian Dieudonne M'bala M'bala's, who is a friend of Anelka's and uses the gesture as a trademark.

France's Sport Minster Valerie Fourneyron accused Anelka of a "shocking and disgusting" act, saying "there was no place for anti-Semitism on the football field."

What is a quenelle gesture?

It is a hand gesture devised by French comedian Dieudonne M'bala M'bala, who says it's an anti-establishment symbol

However, many view it as an anti-Semitic gesture, reminiscent of the Nazi salute

People have been photographed making the sign at synagogues and Holocaust sites

"We support the FA in treating this incident seriously and we look to them to follow through with equal determination," it read.

"The board believes that any behaviour on or off the pitch with racist connotations should be addressed with zero tolerance and should be kicked out by the football authorities."

Alan Cleverley, secretary of the West Bromwich Albion Official Supporters' Club, said if Anelka is found guilty by the FA, he "deserves everything he gets".

He added: "You can't go on doing that. It sounds as if he did it on purpose because he knew the match was being shown live in France. So if the book gets thrown at him, I've got no sympathy whatsoever for him."

Anelka leaves the West Brom training ground on Tuesday

Anelka, who made the gesture after scoring in the 3-3 draw at Upton Park, has promised not to repeat the sign, which he said was made in support of Dieudonne.

If Anelka is found guilty and suspended, it would reduce the number of attacking options for new Baggies head coach Pepe Mel, who has already seen Shane Long move to Hull City in a £7m deal.